More than 50 evaluated in hospital hazard call
Megan Diskin
7:57 p.m. PDT October 20, 2016
More than 50 people were evaluated after a chemical spill was reported Thursday afternoon at the Ventura County Medical Center, officials said.
The incident was reported at 4:06 p.m. at the Ventura County Medical Center, 3291 Loma Vista Road. Authorities said it appeared a small amount of chemotherapy drugs had spilled.
People were evacuated due to the odor, and the building's heating and cooling system was turned off, officials said.
"This is a small spill of a low-grade radioactive chemotherapy agent," the city of Ventura Fire Department said via Facebook. "This spill is contained to the facility and there is a spill protocol underway."
Authorities said 52 people were evaluated for possible exposure and three were to get hospital evaluation and/or treatment.
By 7:20 p.m., most fire personnel had cleared the scene. A few firefighters remained on the scene awaiting the arrival of a contractor to clean up the spill, officials said.
Ventura police said officers were conducting traffic control in the area. Hillmont Avenue was shut down at Loma Vista Road and Foothill Road, police said.